I'm very grateful for all the gadgets mankind has invented - many of which were speculated in the minds of the Science Fiction visionaries (Trekkies do love their Bluetooth headphones, oh and flip-phones), I am however more than miffed some of my favourites didn't make it.

Is it just me, or is there an army of Christmas elves and pixies hanging around in the dark backrooms of high street shops, just waiting, feet on the blocks, for the exact second Halloween is declared over?

Statistics point to the second week in February as the date most people start to slide with their New Year's Resolutions, sometimes the third week - if the thing to be given up is a not to difficult one, like eating expensive, luxury chocolates, or juggling fiery sticks.